Beginnings v Endings. Liverpool v Arsenal

So, and this is a fact, The Ox chose Liverpool over Chelsea and Arsenal

Smoke signals from some fires suggested both Lemar and Virgil fancy Pool.

I’m not basing anything here on what we all witnessed at Anfield last week, because I’m talking about the bigger picture. There does appear to be a new wave of optimism surrounding Pool, like the dawning of a new era. A certain dynamic energy envelops the place, whereas I feel Arsenal has a rather tired, end of empire kind of feel. We’re going through some motions before a rebirth.

Some players are not rushing to re-sign, whilst others clearly want a move away. I think we can all accept that in the short term nothing fundamental about the club will change.

Given the personnel we’re stuck with, and I’m talking from Board downwards, what do we think can inject some spark of life into the club?

Written by MickyDidit89

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 2nd, 2017 at 10:33 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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It is vital that some new energy is injected into the club (not just the team). The usual means is by bringing in players, but that period is finished.

It would be wonderful if an emerging player could take their chance and drag the rest of the squad into the realization that talent alone is not enough, we need to see real hunger, work rate and commitment. I want our players to hate defeat, not greet it with quiet acceptance as if individually there is nothing they can do about it (Theo’s quote last season)

For us to have the same positive vibe as pool, totnum. utd, cty … and even everton, we need to go back to basics and all work hard for one another. Two victories in the next 2 games would restore our self respect, but we can never return to the complacency that has reared its ugly head during significant periods in the last few seasons. I hate to name drop, but that is pretty much what Pat Rice said to me about our lull last season, he couldn’t believe the lack of fight in the team.

With AW signing for another two years, that crumbling empire feel was bound to become the new norm.
Deja vu, groundhog day, same shit different season are consistent themes in any Arsenal analysis, both from press and fans alike.

Like GoonerB, I hope I’m wrong and we can turn it around, but I won’t hold my breath.

The words “catalyst for change” will come back to haunt Arsenal just as “strong and stable” did for Teresa May. My guess is that this year will be even more painful than last season. Hopefully, Wenger will see sense and go at the end of the season. He’s only one half of the problem. The club’s stagnation stems from the owner who has no vision for the club. Until he goes nothing will change. Best case scenario is that he buckles under the pressure from terrible performances on the pitch and sells up. That way, at the end of next year’s WC cycle we could appoint a new coach and become competitive the season after that.

This season will be much worse than last. We will do well to finish top 10. Wenger is making a fool of himself every week now. The media are lapping it up and becoming more confident and almost laughing at him and the board. They will be going for the kill very soon.

The atmosphere at the emirates will get worse as the season goes on. I’m sure this week we will here “kroenke get out of our club” .
The players know and feel how toxic it is. How can they perform in that arena in addition to playing for a Manager who is now acting like Brian Clough did his last year as a Manager at Forest. Its sad and frustrating. The board do not have the power to sack him. Only Kroenke can do that.

The club is being destroyed by Kroenke’s ownership. Its falling apart in front of our eyes !

I no longer get excited about going to the game because I know nothing is going to change . Its a day out with my mates that’s has a predictable football match in the middle of it.

However this chapter of Arsenal FC ( and Arsene FC ) will end one day. Just watch and listen to the atmosphere at the emirates when the new chapter starts…

I like LBG’s idea @10.44. Something that hints at a plan for the future involving the likes of PV4 and/or DB10 would give a bit of a fresh new era feel to things and may buy some leeway with the fans from things getting too poisonous.

It is also hard to disagree with block 07’s analysis of how things are likely to unfold so a fresh outlook is even more needed.

However if we are talking about what to do with no additions then quite simply we need to get the (talented and strong) squad settled and balanced and playing well, and we need the end result of that to be that we are in serious contention come January which has negated the media and public negative image of us and makes us look an attractive and top prospect for any potential January business.

To do this AW needs to sit down secretly with his senior committed players for a crisis meeting to make sure they are all singing from the same hymn sheet and pulling in the same direction so the right message is reinforced at training and in the dressing room. That would be Kos, Merts and Cech.

Then he needs to sit down with both Sanchez and Ozil individually and have a heart to heart to ensure they are on good terms and will contribute to our season and not be a bad egg. Sanchez, even as good as he is, could be the catalyst for a bad atmosphere developing that brings the house of cards down. If AW doesn’t feel reassured then bin them to the reserves.

Next he has to get the team balanced and solid. We may need to temporarily sacrifice some attacking intent to steady things. Get experienced players into the line up. That means it is Merts Kos and an.other in defence and Cech in goal. Calm steady heads. The minute we start to string a few wins together we should spring on ad go from strength to strength. We still have the squad to do this.

I would be tempted to go to a 3-5-2 with a more solid DM in the 3 in the middle and 2 from 3 of Ollie, Sanchez and Lac up top. One of Ramsey or Xhaka to be (temporarily) sacrificed till we are looking solid and confident again. Ozil could even be considered as a casualty of this for a short time.

As I say if we are in contention and playing well come January things will be a lot different in all senses.

If this site were open to sponsorship then I reckon it would have no problem attracting razor blade companies. I am sure they would be able to sense just how close many people seem to be to slashing their wrists.

I realise that the post is meant as a conversation starter and it is in that spirit that I write.

Financially we are a mid range EPL club, Liverpool are also in that category, one of the differences is that we have two world class players: Sanchez and Ozil and they have one, Coutinho. All three were interested in moving to one degree or another and all three have disrupted the early season of their respective clubs but significantly we have two and Liverpool only have one simple maths explains why we have had more disruption than they.

Yes we have two, our manager has been able to attract two where as Klopp didn’t even sign Coutinho. I want world class players at Arsenal, the more the better but with the new paradigm in the world of transfers I accept that these players come with a lot of transfer baggage.

Liverpool might appear to be rising star but their starting point was ludicrously low. We were tactically out thought at Anfield, embarrassingly so, but an awful lot of that was down to the political team selection that had to be made by AW.

Getting shot of Oxlaide-Chamberlain is a huge bonus. Can you name just one 90 minutes in which he was dominant and irreplaceably influential? I can’t, 35 mil was a deal that had to be done, although, it pains me to think that his constant inclusion in the team cost us 6 points this season.

On an up note, AW finally knows the squad he has got to work with for the rest of the season and I continue to have faith that he will make the most of the position the club is in and by that I mean the financial pecking order.

Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton and Chelsea, yes Chelsea have slipped into the midrange EPL financial bracket and every single one of those would bite our hands off to have Ozil and Sanchez — but they don’t, we have them, and I for one can’t wait to see them donning the glorious red and white against Bournemouth in our next game.

Well said LB!
The sky is falling, so says the garbage based media.
Print anything, false, true, fiction, half lies, to utter deception- it will get printed.
Arsenal have won more trophies than all the other top teams in the last 5 years, but you wont hear that. manure has been rebuilding every year, but it has been quiet recently about their mediocrity.
Arsenal have not won the PL or CL lately, but that can also be attributed to serious injuries, a lot closer than people think.
Arsenal will climb the table and a few other top teams will stall.
Will watch my team every week no matter.
Half full I say.

Ozil added: “We have achieved a lot in our four years together. Three of the 13 FA Cup victories have been accomplished in the past four years, with the other 10 taking 75 years for the club to win. This is in addition to our three Community Shield wins. After all, six titles in four years is quite something.

“However, this only makes myself and the team even more disappointed for not playing a role in the title race at the end of last season — this is something we hope to change this year.”

Then the comments –
Angelo Bazile
Nah bruv! Noooooooo…. can’t support mediocrity and Wenger. You’re one lazy overrated bum. Alexis Sanchez earns the right to tell critics to start supporting. NOT YOU!!! Take a deep look at yourself. You ALWAYS disappear when it matters.

Stephen Blagay
Ozil start playing and we will suppoert you 100% but most of the time you are missing in the game and making bad passes when under pressure cheers

Nice one, Micky, 🙂 I am not keen to enter speculation domain at the moment, but bring a message from the Wizard of Ozil.

It’s September 2nd, 2017. I’m with the German National team right now, and yesterday we took a big step towards the World Cup in Russia after beating Czech Republic 2-1. During the last couple of days my DFB teammates have been asking me about how everything is at Arsenal at the moment. They claimed to have read about the current crisis through the media, as pundits and former players are commenting on a daily basis. They say that this could be the worst team in years, even decades.

I’m writing this text together with people that are close to me, and we’ve got something to celebrate. Although no match was won, or trophy was lifted today, Arsenal and I are celebrating our anniversary! Four years ago I was transferred in a last minute deal from Real Madrid to Arsenal – Arsène Wenger convinced me. He told me about the great history of this club, about its living legends such as Bergkamp, Vieira and Pirès, who owe a large part of their success to the manager. Arsène told me how he would help me to develop as a player, and this is something every player wants to hear, as it is great encouragement.

Although I initially struggled when coming to the Premier League, I accepted the challenge. I started as a left-winger at the beginning, and in all honestly, I am not a great admirer of that position for myself – I’m better as a ‘number 10’. When playing in the centre I can control the game and generate chances. The Premier League is physically much more demanding then La Liga or the Bundesliga. 1-1 draws are much tougher, and the smaller clubs also have very strong teams that can easily catch you out. Furthermore, there is no winter break, meaning the season is extremely long and exhausting, especially when you are playing at European and National Team level too.

We have achieved a lot in our four years together. Three of the 13 FA Cup victories have been accomplished in the past four years, with the other ten taking 75 years for the club to win. This is in addition to our three Community Shield wins. After all, six titles in four years is quite something. However, this only makes myself and the team even more disappointed for not playing a role in the title race at the end of last season – this is something we hope to change this year.

Personally I’ve had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London. ‘Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight’ – this is what people have said about me. Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players – both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club. Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends – my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting!

I would like to thank all the Gooners that have always supported me and believed in me. When I leave the Emirates after a game, I see the fans standing along the street cheering. When I’ve played well, I hear you sing my song, and this makes me incredibly proud, giving me goosebumps every time. I have been privileged enough to have met both Brendan and Charlie. They support the club despite their illness, and their strength and positive messages constantly motivate me. Moreover, I’m thankful for all the other personal relationships I’ve made over the past four years.

Even though I personally do not know how my career will continue after this year, I look forward to my fifth season with Arsenal. This is because Arsenal is a great club with great people and great traditions. I am glad to be able to wear your shirt, Gooners. I’ve had so many great moments in the last four years and I really appreciate what this club means to the people of London, the UK and all over the world.

Red, such a powerful message from Ozil.
I am proud that he plays for us and feels that way

I’ve said before that there are 10 players over at ManU that enter their final 12months of their contract and nothing is being said and yet we tear our players apart for the same thing.
These are complicated financial dealings and yes more and more are entering their final year before re-signing. And even if they signed earlier it does not matter, look at Neymar.
While Sanches and Ozil play for us, lets support them and give them reason to stay, not drive them away
COYG

Unfortunatelly 2 world class players (surely Cech is one too) is not enough to get us across the line and win the League. We need 11 class players who want to play for us the fans, the club and the manager. We don’t have that, Liverpool do. I therefore bet LB that Pool are going to have good season and we don’t.
yours sincerely
Doomer

Lots of talk of Liverpool on the up, but Emre Can’s deal expires in June aswell and apparently he wants to go to Juventus.

It’s a refreshing change to hear a footballer speak about their experience at a club whilst they are still there, rather than giving little or no insight only after they’ve buggered off somewhere else. A reminder that they are human after all, and although it’s rare a player will the club as much as a fan, it doesn’t mean they don’t care at all.

“Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends – my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting”!

I think
– a few comprehensive wins against Tottenham and teams outside the top 6
– a few gritty wins against title
Challengers
– demonstrated hunger from the players
– Sanchez and Ozil sign a new contracrn

Will appease things until December but then in December get Mahrez and Carvalho.

you are a strange chap Raddy 🙂 🙂
North Koreans are building unparalleled nuclear power, shooting missiles over Japan and are generally a genuine threat to our well being and you are worried about them marching to Bee Gees tunes??!! Honestly 🙂

I was painting the ceilings today, 14 coats of paint now and still not perfect and listened to the TalkShite radio. Gosh they are desperate. Today’s ambitious topic was ‘footballing celebs that one met in a toilet’!!! And the question was actually asked ‘did you have a look ha ha ha ha’. Cretins, complete and utter morons.

BUT there was a good interview with Rooney, I really enjoyed that. I have always liked Wayne and it was good to hear about his career, regrets, hopes, his boys supporting Everton, all good. An interesting observation was about Capello’s coaching and medical staff for the English national team cheering for the opposition 🙂

My expierience of meeting an Arsenal celeb in the toilet was at Chelsea some years ago, it was at the time when they were spartan echoey concrete sheds and there I was when I noticed on the other side of the room Charlie George! Anyway, all of a sudden to all of our surprise he started up, at the top of his voice, with: Arsenal Ars-e-nal, boy did we join in.

The transfer saga has ended and our squad will remain as such (barring injuries) until the end of the year. Given our current squad, our management, the current spirit around the club as well as given our competition at national and European levels, what would success look like at the end of May 2018 for you?

Response to a question above:
W. Carvalho is a midfield enforcer with a good passing range. He is much better than Xhaka at getting the ball back but he is slightly weaker on passing and long-shots. He is also more physical. The guy is a definite improvement on Coquelin. At this stage, I think that we have to live with Ramsey and Xhaka in our midfield but they need to be covered by someone and Coquelin is not good enough.